Last September, Google started rolling out the new Android TV remote app. Initially, it was limited to select Android smartphone users in select locations. Later, Google made it available for Android smartphone users through the Google TV app (previously Google Play Movies) and Google Home app. With the new app rolling out to Android users, Google ends the support of the old Android TV remote app. The app is no longer compatible with both Android and iOS. If you’re using an iPhone and want to control your Android TV from your iOS device, then here’s how you can do it.
Just a few days ago, Google released the redesigned Android TV remote feature to the Google Home app for iOS. But it was limited to the Chromecast. Now, it is rolling out widely to Android TV / Google TV users. If your Google Home app is updated to a 2.48.106 or a newer version, then you can now access the new D-Pad controls for managing your Android TV directly from your iPhone or iPad.
Now let’s take a look at the steps on how to control Android TV from iPhone using redesigned remote in Google Home.
How to use new Android TV Remote from Google Home app on iPhone
Before we begin, make sure to check if any firmware upgrade is available on your Android TV of any brand. You can head over to the Settings > System > About > System Update to see the new software.
Once you checked your TV is running on the latest available software, update Android Remote Service to v5.0 or higher and Gboard to v11.0 or newer. You can head over to the Google Play Store on your Android TV, then update both apps to the new version. You can also manually download the newer version of Android Remote Service and Gboard from APKMirror.
Related: How to Add Google TV / Chromecast to Google Home on iPhone
Now open the app store on your iPhone, then search the Google Home app and install it on your iPhone. Once done, open the app, grant the required permissions, and select the Google account logged in on your iPhone. Be sure that both Android TV / Google TV and iPhone are connected with the same WiFi network. All done?
- Open the Google Home app, then tap on Android TV (your TV name) from the Local devices section.
- Here you can check the remote option on the bottom left of your screen. Tap on it.
- Now pair your iPhone or iPad with your Android / Google TV, you’ll see a code on your TV’s screen, enter the code on your iPhone.
- Once done, you can start using the redesigned Android TV remote from your iPhone.
By default the app has a Swipe control layout, you can use swipe gestures to control your TV, apart from that the UI has a back button, home button, Google Assistant option, mute, and volume controls.
You can tap on three dots from the top right corner to switch between Swipe control and D-pad control. D-pad control has the same UI as the previous generation Android TV remote app.
One of the best features of the new Android TV Remote app is, it allows you to enter text using your iPhone’s keyboard app (default or from Gboard). When you select any text field, the keyboard will automatically open on your iPhone, it works with many apps.
That’s it. Now you can start controlling your Android TV / Google TV directly from your iPhone or iPad.
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